Sundog

I'm pretty sure they were Kinks fans.

I was just listening to Chamber Music Of The New Jazz this morning. Beautiful swinging player.

This one seems perfect for starting today... Ahmad Jamal: Chamber Music Of The New Jazz

It's not my job to justify them as a band. If you compare the Dead to a typical rock outfit your missing the whole point. I do suggest that every so often you give them a try. Your tastes may change from year to year. I'll admit to not really "getting" all aspects of the Dead at first. Listen without prejudice I say! There are plenty of great suggestions in this thread to get you started.

Thanks for posting. All seems positive regarding "Buffalo"

Try a slow version first. Groove Holmes' version ain't easy organ 101 really. ← Listen to Wes' version from Smokin At The Half Note or Willow Weep For Me. This is a beautiful slow version which should help you get the song inside your head and give you some improv. ideas. Start there, an work your way up Groove's "Charleston" version. I never get tired of either of these polar opposite takes on Misty. Great stuff!

Starting reading this thread hoping to get some good recommendations on these artists. I guess it's not really that kind of thread. Lighten up my friend, life is way too short. Go listen to some Pepper Adams if that's what makes you happy. P.S. Perception is reality.......

"The air pollution is a a-fuckin' up my eyes..." ← Ray certainly has a way with words!

When they were releasing albums consistently, I kind of actually enjoyed the fact that you never knew what you were going to get from one album to the next. It could be great or it could be really subpar. Luckily there was always a little greatness in just about everything they did. However, I'll gladly take subpar Ray Davies songs over just about anything. Yeah, I'm a fan. The Kinks were not like anyone else.

I like them all very much. I guess it just depends on my listening mood. I've been playing Our Thing the most as of late. Andrew Hill is just excellent with Joe on this one.

On a whim the other day I preodered Truckin' Up To Buffalo, July 4, 1989 from CD Universe. Am I going to be sorry? Or is this pretty good late period Dead?

Been spinning this one for a few months now. Beautiful, beautiful music. One of my favorite puchases so far this year. Timeless.

FYI- CD Universe has 20 standards available for preorder shipping in August.

Thanks for replying everyone. It's on the list for my next order.

Thanks. Sounds like an interesting album. Accordian, tuba, violin....

The sound bytes up on the Palmetto site are interesting. Especially the tango version of A Night In Tunisia. I don't know a thing about Ted Nash.

Another good Czech Pilsner...

Unfortunately I think you have to "pay to play" so to speak, for these albums. Probably the best route is used vinyl? Now, if Mosaic would only.....

I'm sure I will be tracking down a bunch of their material before too long. Mellow Yellow, Raising The Roof, and Ducky seem to get consistently good reviews.

Just heard their version of Mello Yellow. Why haven't I been made aware of these guys? Based on that one song I'm hooked, sign me up, I need it. Killer!

More reading, less questions.....

Piano: McCoy Tyner and Duke Ellington Guitar: Jim Hall & Melvin Sparks

Yeah he works for me too. One of the many cool things about him IMO is that he coaxes a lot of interesting sounds out of that guitar. As far as I can tell he's not doing it via pedals or other accessories (not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that). It truly just seems to be his unique approach and technique. I sometimes think, if Eric Dolphy played guitar, he would have sounded like Kevin O'Neil.

If you don't already have it, you should check out 8 Standards (wesleyan) 2001. It's the same band as on 20/23 Standards. I imagine you would like it just fine. What do you think of Kevin O'Neil? I really like his approach as both an accompanist and soloist

Summertime and But Not for Me? Both songs are arranged really well with some mind blowing soloing from Coltrane IMO.